Drug raid in Landsberg: Captagon ensured 25 million euros!

Drug raid in Landsberg: Captagon ensured 25 million euros!

A big drug discovery causes excitement in the region: in Landsberg the police secured a whopping 2.1 million capagon tablets last Friday. The drugs that were discovered in a vegetable treatment have a street sales value of around 25 million euros. A total of around 360 kilograms of the illegal substance were ensured, which were transported in 975 containers, hidden in pallets with olives. The mobile X -ray system of the Dresden main customs office was used to successfully make this elaborate use. The freight was part of a camouflage load, which also included paprika and pepper paste as well as Arab spinach (Molokhia). However, the investigation has not yet been completed, since the suspicion of the food trade in Landsberg has not been confirmed and the perpetrators are probably not in Germany.

The first big drug discovery in this matter was announced a week ago when around 300 kilograms of Captagon were discovered. This raises the question: Where do these large quantities come from? The origin of the drugs and the exact transport route are so far unclear. However, there is a lot of indication that the tablets are not intended for the German market, but should only be transported by Germany. Captagon is an amphetamine derivative that was originally used as a medication in Germany in the 1960s and 1970s. It has now lost its charm because it was taken off the market in the 1980s due to serious side effects.

Captagon - a worldwide drug problem

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the European Drug Agency (EMCDDA) recently found in their report "Captagon-Trading and the role of Europe" that illegal trade in Captagon has increased significantly in Europe over the past five years. The study shows that European countries often act as envelopes, especially through freight container transports, with the main production facilities in Syria and Lebanon. Consumption takes place especially in countries on the Arabian Peninsula, such as Saudi Arabia, where Captagon is considered the most common amphetamine.

The analysis also shows that the drug market in Europe is characterized by persistent health and security problems. The availability of illegal drugs, also in new forms, is a growing challenge. This also makes the consumption of other substances such as cocaine or synthetic opioids. This is reflected in the numbers: While the number of cases of amphetamines in Saxony-Anhalt dropped from 3,432 in 2018 to 2,115 in 2024, the amount of found substances has been doubled in the past two years.

The situation in Europe

The European Drug Report 2024 emphasizes the growing complexity of the drug situation. "Polyvalent drug use" has increased, which is not inconsiderably increasing for people. Current reports show that injecting drug use is particularly a central topic and has even led to an increase in HIV cases. Synthetic Cathinone and Methamphetamine also show signs of a growing challenge for drug policy in Europe. The Euda, which will be introduced on July 2, 2024 as the new drug agency of the European Union, plans to increase surveillance and research on drug use and the associated damage to develop effective measures.

Overall, the drug problem in Europe and especially with amphetamines is one that must be observed sensitively. The developments of the drug markets and the ever new challenges require quick and flexible action to ensure the health and security of the population.